IN THE SPIRIT OF UBUNTU

"You can’t exist as a human being in isolation”

The Timbavati Foundation, which was registered in 2010, is an independent Capital Trust Fund and has its vision firmly rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu. Ubuntu, one of the founding principles of the new South Africa and a concept that exemplifies both Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, encapsulates the true essence of being a human.

According to Nelson Mandela Ubuntu is about generosity, the need for unity and for a humanitarian ethic to inform our decisions. “It doesn’t mean you should not enrich yourself; but whether what you do enables the community around you to improve.” The Zulu maxim umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (from which the word Ubuntu is derived) means a person is a person through other persons. The Archbishop further explains it brilliantly: “Ubuntu speaks about our interconnectedness and the fact that you cannot exist as a human being in isolation. We are not just individuals separated from one another; what we do affects others which in turn affects the whole world.”

Conservation

and Environmental Awareness. The Timbavati Foundation is actively involved in the Timbavati bush school and various sustainability programmes

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We have recruited and sent more than 25 girls who are interested in hospitality to SA College of Tourism. Most of them ended up in both conservation and hospitality industries. Our mission has been to help boys as well. After identifying the need for trackers in most tourism industries in our area we decided to consider recruiting boys who have an interest in tracking and study at the Tracker Academy.

The Timbavati Foundation students are fortunate to have Fred Berrangé (the leopard man) visiting us at the school to speak to them and imparting his knowledge. The importance of saving our wildlife and preserving our heritage for future generations is vital, and it is up to the youth of today to make sure that these species do not disappear.

Three of our school collected litter alongside the road before taking it to the Waste Recycling Centre. Happiness explained to them how the machines work, ready for transportation to the many recycling factories who use the plastics, cans and cardboard etc

""It is only my pleasure to thank you as Timbavati Foundation for offering me this bursary to study as a field ranger. I am happy in a way which I am failing to explain.But as much as I am happy also owe you some effort.I will try my best to make sure that I make you proud, as much as I can"

A Timbavati Foundation success story of a very dynamic, enthusiastic and passionate young lady who has started her own Adventure Gaza Community Development group. Tshego's group comprises of 3 different age groups and she involves these children in doing traditional dances, as well as clean-ups in their community, and conservation matters

It is a tradition or norm of Manyeleti circuit (Department of Education) to host and celebrate matric awards at the school that received 100% matric pass rate. This time the event took place at Dlumana secondary school which is situated at Share village in Hluvukani area.

In partnership with Into Africa Safari the Timbavati Foundation played a vital role for the success of “Ubuntu Tour” by the Umass-Isenberg group of students from USA during May, 2016 . The students contributed computers which were donated to Tladishi high school and during the handover, the CEO of Into Africa Safari promised to get more computers into SA.

As part of the environmental education program of the environmental school, learners are given projects to go back and implement at their schools. These projects include: Soil erosion control, indigenous plant propagation, general tidiness of the school, recycling and water saving.

The progressive impact of Timbavati Foundation on communities has spurned remarks like these from local schools: “We are never the same as before the existence of Timbavati relationship. We are really proud about the positive impact Timbavati is exerting on the general achievements of our institution. Bravo Timbavati Foundation. Bravo!!”

The Sjambok pod tree is one of the most wanted trees by local traditional healers for its potential medicinal uses. The roots are used to treat bilharzias, black-water fever, toothache and severe abdominal pain. Smoke from a burning twig is inhaled to cure headache.